Like Euskaltel, Astana has the potential to put someone on the podium in all three Grand Tours while winning several important one-day races along the way. With a talented core of captains and a group of underrated, but dedicated domestiques, there’s reason to believe the squad can and will bounce back after the loss of Alberto Contador.

In the spring classics last year, Maxim Iglinsky blossomed into a dark horse candidate for this year’s Classics, taking the win in the Montepaschi Strade Bianche before embarking on a terrific 4-week run. Iglinksy, Enrico Gasparotto, Andriy Grivko, and new addition Tomas Vaitkus give Astana a seasoned group of men ready to compete throughout March and April. While a Monument win might be too tall of an order (unless Aussie Allan Davis can finally breakthrough in Milan-San Remo), there will be several chances for the team to stand on the podium’s top step. An aggressive group unafraid to animate, look to see at least one rider tucked into the back of most of the spring’s important breakaways.

In the Ardennes, Roman Kreuziger and Alexandre Vinokourov will give Astana two top favorites, especially if they prove able to complement one another’s talents (they both have a penchant for over-attacking and will need to coordinate their moves lest they nullify their collective efforts). From there, the Giro beckons, where Kreuziger will have the team at his disposal in an attempt to win his first Grand Tour. A talented climber and time trialist with two Tour de France top-10’s on his resume, Kreuziger has to be considered a favorite for at least the top-5. Even better, he’s competing against his friend and former teammate, Vincenzo Nibali; their pending battle will be one of the race’s more interesting storylines.

At the Tour de France, Vino will lead to the squad. At 37, many say the Kazakh’s best days are behind him, but let’s remember that he missed almost two years of racing, in a sense making his “effective” age 35. In a Tour that could be a bit more wide-open, consider Vino an outside contender for a spot on the podium in Paris. With a full season of dedicated preparation in his legs—and a nice long rest after last season’s Tour de France—I expect him to be a bit more competitive than many seem to think.

From there, all signs point to the summer classics and the Vuelta, races in which both Kreuziger and Vinokourov could excel if they participate. And last but not least, don’t rule out Allan Davis on a relatively flat course at Worlds in Copenhagen—he finished third last year in Melbourne and is one of the peloton’s best sprinters never to have won a big race.

Man of the Hour: Roman Kreuziger is finally free from the shadow of his former co-captains at Liquigas, but is that a good thing? Many have struggled without someone to share the limelight and one has to wonder if Liquigas knew what they were doing when they let him depart this past off-season. That said, Kreuziger’s still only 24 and has plenty of time to develop. I’m eager to see what a change of scenery does for the Czech.

On the Hot Seat: Remi Digregorio’s such an easy target, but after a terribly disappointing time with FDJ and only a one-year contract with Astana, you’ve got to wonder if this might be the Frenchman’s last chance.

Up-and-Comer: Maxim Iglinsky enjoyed quite a productive spring last season, winning L’Eroica, taking fourth in Tirreno-Adriatico, eighth in Milan-San Remo, seventh in Ghent-Wevelgem, and eighth in the Tour of Flanders—quite an impressive string of results! At 29, he’s riding in the prime of his career and should benefit from the addition of the powerful and experienced Tomas Vaitkus.

Best Pick-Up: Lost in the hubbub after Liquigas took first and third in last year’s Giro was Robert Kiserlovski’s tenth-place overall. Yes, he gained most of his time after making the mega-break on Stage 11, but he more than held his own throughout the final half of the event—and he did it while riding for Basso and Nibali.

Biggest Loss: I’ll never forget the sight of Daniel Navarro dragging a diminishing peloton up the lower slopes of the Alps and Pyrenees during last year’s Tour de France. Vinokourov will miss him this July.

And that’s it for #9. Share your comments below.

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.